Horticulture can be said as a smaller adaptation of agriculture. The major difference is that agriculture is done on a large scale while horticulture is the gardening which is done on a small scale. Horticulture is the science and art of gardening that is related with the farming of flowers, fruits, plantation crops, spices, vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants, ornamental plants, etc.

B.Sc Horticulture is that course in science which includes the study of art of gardening of various types of plants and their related issues. This is an undergraduate degree programme offered by many universities which is of three year duration. This particular branch of study involves five major specializations. They are

• Floriculture
• Landscaping
• Olericulture
• Pomology
• Post harvest physiology

The B.Sc Horticulture graduates can either opt for higher studies or seek for jobs in different sectors after the successful completion of their graduation. They can even start their own gardens and cultivate various types of plants.

Qualification Criteria for Higher Studies in Horticulture after B.Sc

These undergraduates can apply for the master’s degree programme in the same field. For this they must have completed B.Sc Horticulture from any reputed universities. The percentage of marks required for this qualifying degree may vary depending on the universities. Most of the institutions give admission for the qualified candidates to post graduation courses based on the entrance examination organized by the concerned universities.

Higher study options in Horticulture after B.Sc

There are lots of specializations in Horticulture from which the B.Sc graduates can choose for their post graduation studies. Some of the choices are

• M.Sc. Entomology and Apiculture
• M.Sc. Fruit Breeding
• M.Sc. Fruit Science
• M.Sc. Horticulture
• M.Sc. Post-harvest Technology

And those who have finished the post graduation can opt for the following doctoral programmes in Horticulture

• M.Phil. Genetics and Plant Breeding and Horticulture
• Ph.D. Entomology and Apiculture
• Ph.D. Floriculture and Landscaping
• Ph.D. Fruit Breeding
• Ph.D. Fruit Science
• Ph.D. Plant Pathology
• Ph.D. Post-harvest Technology

Subjects covered under Higher Studies in Horticulture

The master degree course in Horticulture is of two year duration. The various core theories and practical subjects are covered under this course. Some of the important topics covered under post graduation in Horticulture are

• Floriculture
• Greenhouse Structures
• Media, Nutrients, & Fertilizers
• Organic Gardening
• Overview of Horticulture
• Pest Management
• Plant Classification, Function & Structure
• Plant Growth Regulators
• Plant Propagation
• Turf Grasses
• Vegetable Production

Career Opportunities after Higher studies in Horticulture

Horticulture is a very specialized area which offers numerous career opportunities. Those people who have high passion about plants and gardening would find the course in Horticulture more interesting. The job opportunities are huge which ranges for those without formal education in horticulture to the graduates with PhD in horticulture. They can begin their own business in this field. Also there exist plenty of chances with the public sectors.

Due to the significance of this science, there are numerous employment opportunities for the post graduates as well as the undergraduates in India and abroad. These professionals are called Horticulturists who can enter in a job in any field in the industries, educational institutions and private firms. The broad range of their employment areas are

• Agribusiness
• Arboriculture (planting and care of woody plants)
• Botanical gardens
• Conservation
• Crop management
• Floral design
• Food chemistry
• Fruit and vegetable production
• Garden centers
• Greenhouses
• Grounds management
• Landscape construction and management
• Nurseries
• Management and sales
• Marketing/public relations
• Research and development
• Teaching/ instruction
• Technical writing and publishing

Horticulturists are recruited in numerous private and public sector firms and they receive handsome remunerations depending on their level of experience.